Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A new cultural initiative combining film and technology is aiming to preserve the rich linguistic heritage of Borneo, where more than a hundred indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing.
CelcomDigi, in collaboration with creative agencies Naga DDB Tribal, M&C Saatchi, and production house Project Room, has launched Maya — a short film that highlights the importance of indigenous languages in Sabah and Sarawak. The film is paired with an innovative pilot AI project: a language-learning chatbot also named Maya, developed by Malaysian tech firm Replyr.ai.
The initiative was launched in conjunction with Gawai Dayak and Pesta Kaamatan, major harvest festivals celebrated in East Malaysia, as a tribute to the cultural richness of the region.
The film follows a young girl named Maya who embarks on a mystical journey to rediscover lost voices, songs, and poems across a forgotten land. As she collects and releases these remnants of language, the world around her comes back to life with renewed rituals and celebrations. The story is rooted in local oral traditions, incorporating real songs and poetry from the Iban and Dusun communities.
“Language is more than communication — it’s a bridge to identity and heritage,” said Alvin Teoh, chief creative officer of the One Team. “Through Maya, we wanted to highlight the cultural wealth of Sabah and Sarawak in a way that resonates emotionally and artistically.”
Directed by Sarawakian filmmaker Dexter Anthony, Maya deliberately integrates traditional elements into the narrative structure. “This film isn’t just about representation,” Anthony explained. “It’s about placing community voices at the center of the story — not as decoration, but as its heart and soul.”
The companion AI chatbot, also called Maya, is designed to interact with users in Bornean languages, beginning with Iban and Dusun. Users are encouraged to “teach” the chatbot by speaking to it in native languages, enabling it to learn organically through conversation. The goal is to eventually offer the chatbot as a language-learning tool for others.
“AI can be a vessel for connection,” said Dylan Tan, founder of Replyr.ai. “With Maya, we’re not just building a chatbot — we’re building a digital archive of voices, expressions, and cultural memory.”
Executive producer Fabian Joseph described the project as a personal and professional milestone. “As someone from West Malaysia, working on Maya helped me realise how underrepresented East Malaysian cultures are in our national dialogue. This film is a cultural gesture — a call to listen, to honour, and to preserve.”
The project reflects CelcomDigi’s broader commitment to cultural preservation, particularly through digital tools. In a statement, the company emphasized that every voice counts and that language is key to keeping heritage alive.
As Malaysia celebrates the harvest season, Maya serves not just as a work of art but also as a reminder: to speak the words of the past, teach them to the next generation, and let the spirit of Borneo resonate into the future.
